I actually did squirt her!!! Ha Ha Ha. It was an accident during fixing it for the kids, I totally missed the cup and it went all over her! I felt awful but she didn't get mad over that.
This is definately a rough time of year. Our schools will be out May 27, the kids are whiney, the grown-ups are whiney, and the teachers are stressed because our testing doesn't start until May 10. I think some people are counting down the hours instead of days. The fact that I have finals next week and this is not really a good week for me doesn't help matters either.
Actually, I have to admit being mildly disappointed. From the title (snow cone "mess") and then the first half of the message, I imgained the tale would end with you dumping the snow cone syrup on her - or at least squirting her. ('Fess up, standing there with that pump and all that sticky, juicy syrup - did it cross your mind??)
But, then again, have you noticed we've all been a bit more bloodthirsty lately? I think one message mentioned wanting to throttle someone, someone else (jokingly) suggested use of a stun gun. So yours did end up rather tame...
This is a GREAT place to vent. I'm in the lovely role of "past president", but during my presidency, this Forum kept me sane.
Thank you, I feel so much better. I will apologize and from now on watch my p's and q's with her. Since her and her friend often do things together (her friend has a younger child so they help each other out)I can team them up on things.
I was VP at my son's pre-k one year and Pres. at this school two years. I took a much needed break and despite my plate being full I am ready for the challenge. I hope you guys are ready for my whining. I have accepted the nomination to run in next months election, the only other person I know of that has been asked to run is this lady! She turned it down.
Yeah! What JHB said! I was going to raise my hand, but I figured you might not yet be laughing at jokes about this subject.
I speak from HUGE experience here. I was our group prez 2 years ago. I got along great with teachers, staff, students, and grandparents. It was regular parents that I couldn't seem to please. There was many times that I had to apologize for losing my cool (okay, most of 'em had it coming, but that is another story...lol). When the situation warrented an "oh damn" or other exploitive phrase, I could usually be counted upon to provide it...lol... Being prez does not mean being perfect. Everyone loses their cool once in a while.
Here is some advice: Remember what happened. Take the steps necessary to make sure it doesn't become a problem next time. Delegate (that parent that owes you some syrup? USE HER!) when you can. Couple an experienced hand with a new hand. Then check the schedules yourself to make sure they are in order. Tell them how it has been done in the past, how you think it should be done and then let them do the event.
Remember, if being prez was an easy job, everyone would want to do it. Remember too, that even those who want to do it are sometimes incapable of doing it. That doesn't sound like you. Sounds to me like you CAN do it and do it well.
Under the circumstances, I'd say your reaction was absolutely, 100% normal. Make sure your apology is too.
You were frazzled, you were wrong....oh my goodness - you were HUMAN. Gasp! Will the PTO leader whose never lost her/his cool please raise a hand?? (Note - mine is not raised.)
What would you expect your child to do in a similar situation? (He argues with another kid - the other kid wasn't exactly without blame, but still YOUR kid has to account for HIS actions...)
You probably need to apologize. Depending on your relationship with the volunteer, you can talk to her, call her, or buy her one of those funny apology cards. But basically just explain that it was a really bad day, you let it get to you, you are sorry that you took it out on her, etc. Then move on.
Don't obsess about it and don't let it stop you from future participation. You've been a member on this Forum for a long time and obviously highly involved in your group. You know you'll have to deal with different personalities. Maybe this volunteer will never be your best friend. Big deal.
Did you really mean "withdraw your resignation for pres" or was it "nomination"?? Regardless, don't stop your efforts to be an officer - they need you.
I read the posts about problem parents and I think "Oh, we are so lucky!" My bubble got bursted yesterday. Sno Cones were "scheduled" for 4/5 grades. There was no schedule the teachers didn't know what to do and there were three parents there running it who had never done it before. The VP ask me to go and help, the pres was there for a minute but she ran to her car or would just stand there. A teacher was pretty upset so she let ME know about it (she needed to vent too) DARE was going on, it was just a mess, they were asking each child the flavor they wanted as they got to the table instead of fixing a few up so they could grab them which took longer and the ice was melting. A custodian was already mad because of an extension cord. So when we started putting up I couldn't remember how to empty the pumps back in the jug, which was very frustrating and one of the volunteers says she didn't know what I was doing. I said "We always do this, I just forgot how." so she informs me very smartly they hadn't done that yesterday. I am not in the best mood this week and was trying not to cuss the uncooperative pumps. So I told her it was very wasteful not to do this the syrup is very expensive I am told since our regular company quit carrying it so she says. "I'll just buy another jug if you are going to do that." I told her that would be great since we would have no money at the begining of next year I would hold her to that. Yes, I realize I should've stayed cool, I was in the wrong but she went and told the VP I blew up about it and I don't know what else. So now I am wondering if I should withdraw my resignation for pres. I never had volunteer problems in the past and she has a friend that does whatever she does. I don't know if I can stand the two of them going around telling things on me and the other volunteers all the time. I really needed to vent and I feel better now.
